Lifesaving South Africa urges early lifeguard deployment for festive season safety

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) has renewed its call for municipalities to deploy lifeguards earlier in the season following a spate of drownings at Victoria Bay and other beaches nationwide, just as eThekwini Municipality prepares to honour its own lifesaving heroes and ramp up safety efforts for the festive season.

On November 5, 2025, the City’s Recreation and Parks Directorate held an event at Moses Mabhida Stadium to recognise eThekwini lifeguards “for their bravery and professional excellence in saving lives.”

According to the Municipality, the Aquatics Safety Team is “ramping up preparations to manage the expected influx of beachgoers and swimmers during the festive season.”

The City also unveiled new uniforms for beach lifeguards and swimming pool supervisors, “reinforcing the City’s commitment to safety and professionalism.”

While eThekwini’s proactive approach signals a strong commitment to beach safety, Lifesaving South Africa warned that similar action is needed across the country, particularly before the festive rush begins.

In its statement, LSA said it is “deeply concerned about the recent reports of fatal drownings occurring at beaches and swimming areas across the country.” These incidents, which have taken place weeks before the holiday period, highlight “an urgent need for immediate action and a shift in planning mindset within municipalities.”

The organisation criticised the notion that safety measures should only apply during the peak visitor season, saying, “The argument that ‘funding has already been allocated’ and that planning only applies to the peak visitor season fails to recognise that local residents use beaches throughout the warmer months and that their safety is equally important.”

LSA said that “the pattern of preventable drownings prior to December clearly demonstrates that the current seasonal deployment strategy is inadequate.”

To address the issue, the organisation has urged municipalities to:

• Deploy professional lifeguards and qualified lifesavers earlier in the season, especially at popular beaches.
• Extend coverage to the broader warm-weather months.
• Maintain visible signage, rescue equipment, and communication systems year-round.
• Support public education campaigns on safe swimming and rip current awareness.
• Collaborate with LSA to strengthen community-based lifesaving programmes.

Lifesaving South Africa also reminded swimmers “to swim only when lifeguards are on duty and in designated areas, to remain between the red and yellow flags, and to leave the water once duty flags are brought down for the day.”

However, the organisation stressed that “for these safety messages to have meaning, lifeguards must be present before the festive rush begins.”

“We call on all municipalities to review and revise their seasonal safety plans immediately and to take proactive steps to safeguard their residents and visitors throughout the year,” the statement concluded. “By doing so, local authorities will demonstrate true leadership, responsibility, and commitment to community well-being.”

THE MERCURY